How does the scheme work?
You must be willing and able to manage direct payments on your
own, or with help from other people you know and trust. If you feel
you would benefit from a Direct Payment but do not have the
capacity to manage it yourself you can nominate someone to receive
the funds and manage the scheme on your behalf.
Adults
First, a social worker will visit you and talk to you about the
type of help and support you need, and plan with you appropriate
services. This is called an 'assessment'.
What is an
assessment?
You can get direct payments if the outcome of your assessment is
that you are eligible for services. We use the government's
'Fair Access to Care Services' guidance to work out your
eligibility. If you are a carer, you can also get direct
payments for services provided under the Carers and Disabled
Children Act 2000.
If you are eligible, you can either ask the social worker to
directly arrange the services or ask for a direct payment to
arrange your own services, or a mix of the two.
Children
You can get direct payments if you or your disabled child are
eligible for services following an assessment under the Children
Act 1989.
How much help will I get?
The Direct Payments Team will support you every step of the
way. By listening to you, they will help you to decide the
best way to use your direct payments. They can also offer other
help:
Help with paperwork
You will have to keep a record of how you spend your direct
payments, but the forms you will use have been designed to be clear
and straight-forward.
Help to recruit personal assistants
The team can help you to advertise, interview, prepare a job
description, take up references, and arrange for checks with the
Criminal Records Bureau.
Personal Assistant Support
Service
Free payroll service
If you employ a personal assistant, they may have to pay tax and
National Insurance on their wages. A payroll service
can be provided, free of charge. Staff from
the payroll service will work out any tax and national
insurance for you, and send you a payslip for you to give out with
their wages. Some people want to learn how to do this
themselves, and the Direct Payments Team can help you to do
this.
Help to choose an agency
You can choose which care agency you like, but if you are unsure
which to choose we can help by providing information regarding
local agencies.
Employer and Public Liability Insurance
If you employ someone, you must have this insurance. The
council will pay for it and the Direct Payments Team will tell you
how to arrange it.
Age UK Direct Payment Team
If you are 65 or over, support will be provided by the dedicated
Direct Payments Team based at Age UK.
Creative Support
If you have a mental health problem, Creative Support will
provide you with the assistance you need to set up your direct
payments scheme.
Ongoing Support
The support the team provide to you is on-going. Many people
need less support as they get used to managing their direct
payments, but you can contact the team at any time with any queries
you may have.
How to apply
Ask your social worker to make a referral to the Direct Payments
Team on your behalf, or download a visit request form.
Visit request
form PDF (60kb)
A member of the team will make arrangements to visit you and
discuss the scheme in detail. There is no obligation to accept a
direct payment.
If you don't have a social worker but are already receiving care
services from the council, phone the Direct Payments Team.
If you don't have a social worker and think you may qualify for
some help from the council, contact the Central Duty Team or
the Children in Need Duty Team, and ask for an assessment.
What is an
assessment
Contact us on:
Direct Payments Team
Wigan Council
PO BOX 100
Wigan
WN1 3DS
Telephone 01942 489579
If you are still unsure the Wigan Council Central Duty Team will
be able to advise you. You can contact them from 8.45am to 8pm,
Monday to Friday and 8.45am to 1pm Saturday on 01942 828777.